The Public Registry provides the public with information, in accordance with subsection 33(1) of the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators (the Code), regarding the interests of senators. These include activities they carry on outside their parliamentary duties, the source and nature (but not the value) of their income, the nature (but not the value) of their assets and liabilities, authorized contracts or other business arrangements with the Government of Canada or any federal agency or body, as well as declarations of private interests, sponsored travel, gifts or other benefits, and statements of material changes (see section 31 of the Code for a list of the information required to be made public). Not all the interests of senators are required to be disclosed under the Code (see subsection 28(4)). Properties used as residences, mortgages on such residences, household goods and personal effects are some examples of interests that will not be publicly disclosed.

Online Public Registry

On May 1, 2012, the Senate adopted a series of amendments to its Code. The new Code came into force on October 1, 2012. One of these amendments concerns the manner in which information that is required to be made public under the Code is accessible (see subsection 33(3)). Under the previous version of the Code, this information was only made available in hard copy by attending the premises of the Office of the Senate Ethics Officer or by facsimile.

As a result of this amendment to the Code, starting on October 1 st, any statements of sponsored travel, statements of gifts or other benefits, and declarations of private interests will be posted online as soon as possible after they are submitted to the Office of the Senate Ethics Officer.

The public disclosure documents pertaining to the 2011-2012 annual review will continue to be available in printed form at the Office of the Senate Ethics Officer located at 90 Sparks Street, room 526, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5B4. On-site access to the Public Registry is provided from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (noon) and between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. (public holidays excepted).

The public disclosure summaries of individual senators and other related documents are in the preferred language of each senator.

Removal of Public Disclosure Files from the Public Registry

The public disclosure file of each senator is removed from the Public Registry, in accordance with subsection 33(2) of the Code, when the senator ceases to be a senator. The public disclosure summaries, statements and declarations of a former senator are available, on request, from the Office of the Senate Ethics Officer for one year after the senator ceases to be a senator, after which time these documents are transferred to the Senate archives, in accordance with subsections 52(1) and (4) of the Code.

Online Access

The public documents of each senator are accessible in their preferred language, by clicking on the name of the senator.